Actuation module to control when a sensing module is responsive to events

Abstract

An actuation device includes a controller that interfaces with a sensing module to cause the sensing module to be non-responsive to events of a class that exceed the threshold level of detectability. The controller may be triggered by a corresponding sensor interface to switch the sensing module to be responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An actuation module comprising:
 a sensor interface of at least one sensor to sense a predetermined type of event in a given environment, and to generate a trigger signal upon sensing the predetermined event; 
 an actuator to interface with a sensing module in response to detecting the trigger signal, the sensing module being capable of detecting a class of events that exceed a threshold level of detectability; 
 wherein the actuator is to mechanically interact with the sensing module to disable the sensing module via a physical action to cause the sensing module to be non-responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability until the actuator is triggered by the sensor interface, and wherein the actuator is to respond to the trigger signal by causing the sensing module to be responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability. 
 
     
     
       2. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation module is to cause the sensing module to be non-responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability by physically interacting with a switch of the sensing module via the actuator in order to disable the sensing module by switching the sensing module into one of an unconnected or unresponsive state. 
     
     
       3. The actuation module of  claim 2 , wherein the actuation module is to use the sensor interface to detect an indicator of the switch before switching the sensing module into the unconnected or unresponsive state. 
     
     
       4. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to cause the sensing module to be non-responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability by impeding or disabling a sensor interface of the sensing module. 
     
     
       5. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to cause the sensing module to be non-responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability by disconnecting the sensing module from a network. 
     
     
       6. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to cause the sensing module to be non-responsive to events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability by causing the sensing module to power down into a low power state. 
     
     
       7. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor interface includes at least one of a microphone, camera or occupancy sensor to detect the predetermined type of event in the given environment. 
     
     
       8. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor interface includes a camera that is to recognize the predetermined type of event from image data. 
     
     
       9. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes an extension to manipulate a physical barrier that impedes or occludes the sensor interface of the sensing module until the trigger signal is detected. 
     
     
       10. The actuation module of  claim 9 , wherein the physical barrier is to cover the sensor interface of the sensing module until the trigger signal is detected, and wherein the physical barrier is to be moved by the actuator to expose the sensor interface of the sensing module in response to the trigger signal being detected. 
     
     
       11. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes an electrical interface that is to respond to the detected trigger signal by switching the sensing module from a responsive connected state to an unresponsive or unconnected state. 
     
     
       12. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a mechanical controller that is to control movement of an extension that physically contacts a feature or portion of the sensing module in order to switch the sensing module from a responsive connected state to an unresponsive or disconnected state. 
     
     
       13. The actuation module of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is programmable to enable movement of the extension to a plurality of positions, in order to accommodate multiple types devices as the sensing module. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus comprising:
 a sensing module, operable in a responsive, connected state, the sensing module including a sensor interface that is capable of detecting a class of events that exceed a threshold level of detectability; 
 an actuation module, operatively coupled to the sensing module to control physically via an actuator, the actuation module including a sensor interface of at least one sensor to sense a predetermined type of event in a monitored region; 
 wherein the actuation module responds to the sensor interface detecting the predetermined type of event by switching the sensing module from an unresponsive state to the responsive connected state, the actuator to switch the sensing module via a mechanical interaction that includes a physical action. 
 
     
     
       15. A method for controlling a connected sensing module, the method comprising:
 performing at least a first action to cause a sensing module, physically via an actuator, to be non-responsive to events of a class that exceed a threshold level of detectability, the first action including the actuator mechanically interacting with the sensing module via a first physical action; 
 while the connected sensing module is non-responsive to events of the class, monitoring a given region for a predetermined type of event; 
 in response to detecting the predetermined type of event, performing at least a second action to cause the sensing module, physically via the actuator, to be responsive to events of at least the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability, the second action including the actuator mechanically interacting with the sensing module via a second physical action. 
 
     
     
       16. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is an articulated mechanical device to perform the physical action to mechanically interact with the sensing module by causing a portion of the articulated mechanical device to physically contact a portion of the sensing module. 
     
     
       17. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to perform the physical action to mechanically interact with the sensing module by causing a portion of the sensing module to change physical positions to cause the sensing module to become non-responsive to the events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability. 
     
     
       18. The actuation module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is to perform the physical action to mechanically interact with the sensing module by causing a field of view of the sensing module to be obstructed. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator is an articulated mechanical device to perform the physical action to mechanically interact with the sensing module by causing a portion of the articulated mechanical device to physically contact a portion of the sensing module. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the actuator is to perform the first physical action to mechanically interact with the sensing module by causing a portion of the sensing module to change physical positions to cause the sensing module to become non-responsive to the events of the class that exceed the threshold level of detectability.